by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal-Expo

Sacramento, CA — Last week started out pretty rough for driver Rich Wojcio, as he was unceremoniously dumped in last Thursday night’s (Jan. 12) opener, but the week ended on a high note as he guided the popular 11-year-old trotter Alpine Hawk to his fifth straight victory.

Wojcio was handling Style Element in that aforementioned first race on Thursday when the trotter jumped off stride before the start and went down in what could have been a very serious incident.

“The mare choked down, couldn’t get her air and eventually collapsed,” Wojcio explained. “I ended up on my feet, thank God, and we were all very fortunate it wasn’t worse.”

As a precaution, Wojcio took off the remainder of his drives that night, but did return to action for Friday’s program.

On Saturday he didn’t disappoint those who took Alpine Hawk at 1-2 in an optional claimer as he tracked the leaders, pounced in the stretch and got the job done by a head over a gutsy Twice The Ruckus.

“Alpine Hawk is just a kind, professional and classy animal whom I look forward to driving whenever he can race,” his pilot noted.

A New York-bred son of Movie Mogul, Alpine Hawk is owned by Jim Winske, hails from the Gordie Graham barn and has $161,000 in the bank with a 1:56.4 lifetime mark.

As for Wojcio, the victory was No. 3,743 in his career with over $22 million in earnings. And counting, we might add.

Live racing resumes at Cal Expo on Friday (Jan. 20) and Saturday (Jan. 21) at 6 p.m. (PST).